Fanning Island school donations

[Ineke]

Hello fellow travellers

Fanning Island will be our next port after Honolulu. Many of us have been purchasing a bunch of school supplies for the children on Fanning Island, and were told to drop them off so they can all go in together. We took them to the front desk, and were told that they no longer do this and we have to take them off the ship and take them through customs, and were given a declaration form. We bought them yesterday in the US, so this seems strange. And if no one is collecting them, what do we do with the things we bought? I have asked this on the Roll Call as well, but hope someone has an answer.

[VacationCharlene]

We have visited the remote island of Fanning Island a few times.  YOU can easily take the supplies off and walk them to the school or anywhere nearby.  There is no one checking stuff.  We carried a box full of school supplies, another person took standard medical supplies, etc and handed to the locals.  Enjoy and support them by taking some cash and purchasing their handmade items as well.  NOTHING in Fanning Island is hard to do.  Take the tender over and enjoy your time there 🙂  Remember there are no facilities on shore.

[CafeBruno]

Yes, we stopped at Fanning this spring on the Koningsdam and the ship was not involved in handling the donations. On the island, just past the pier, the islanders had a table set up to receive school donations, and there were a lot of people that dropped stuff off there. So just bring your donations when you go ashore. There was no customs presence, no forms to fill out, no problem in dropping off your donations. 

[StLouisCruisers]

When we stopped at Fanning Island I brought a tote bag of Ziploc baggies, each with a new toothbrush, dental floss and toothpaste tubes for the children.  We walked back to the school (since we wanted to see some of the island anyway) and took it to a classroom where the teacher was happy to distribute to the class.  Other passengers had the school supplies.  No customs or forms to fill out.  I didn't see a table to drop off donations that trip, 2017 on Maasdam.

[Ineke]

Thanks so much for clarifying! 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. The people are lovely and the island is beautiful and they welcome visitors. It is as spectacular as a private island can be. 

[OlsSalt]

Always keep in mind "plastics" are forever,  and this tiny isolated island has no means of disposing of forever-wastes.  EG: A wooden pencil is far better gift, than a plastic single use pen or marker.